PAINESVILLE, Ohio — The Lake Erie College Storm football team had their final home matchup of the season Saturday, November 4, as they took on the Kentucky Wesleyan College Panthers for a senior night matchup. The Storm would fall in overtime, 43-37. This brings Lake Erie to 1-9 on the year and 0-8 in conference play.
Lake Erie would head to halftime only down 15-20. After going down 14-0 quickly, the Storm were able to cause a couple of turnovers and key defensive stops in the first half. Raphael Jones Jr. had a 13 yard touchdown run while Koraun Perdue had a 24 yard catch and score. Elijah Gorman would connect on a 31 yard field goal as time expired in the first half, bringing the score to 15-20. Joshua Carter had a fumble recovery as well in the first half of play.
The Storm came out with the running duo of Raphael Jones Jr. and Tyrone Williams Jr. Each with a touchdown in the second half. Xeavier Bullock also had a one yard QB sneak for a touchdown bringing the score to 37-20 at the end of the third quarter.
The Panthers came out in the fourth quarter and brought the game back to 37-30 with a couple of turnovers by Lake Erie. With less than two minutes left, Euvoski Cunningham intercepted Arrambide, which should have sealed the win for the Storm. After offsetting penalties and ejections, the Panthers came back with a backup quarterback to tie the game 37-37 with less than a minute remaining, bringing the game to overtime.
After being unable to connect on a 35 yard field goal try in overtime, the Panthers were able to score on their first drive from the Lake Erie 35 to seal the late comeback win with a final score of 43-37.
Xeavier Bullock would finish the game going 20 for 28 through the air for 253 yards and a passing touchdown. With a 71 completion percentage and a QBR of 159, Bullock also rushed 101 yards off of 21 attempts and one rushing touchdown. Bullock's two lost fumbles were crucial down the stretch. Rachael Jones Jr. ended the day with two touchdowns on nine attempts with 73 yards on the ground. This was Jones third consecutive game with 2 or more touchdowns, as he also leads the team with a high of seven touchdowns on the season. Tyrone Williams Jr. also had a big game for the Storm's ground attack, finishing with one touchdown and 71 yards off of 18 attempts. Koraun Perdue finished the game with two receptions good for 43 yards and a 24 yard touchdown grab. Tony Edwards finished with a game high eight receptions for 77 yards on the night.
The Storm defense came to play tonight forcing five turnovers, with three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. The defense was led by Kenyon Tomlinson, Euvoski Cunningham, Cameron Webb, and Ronnell Lackey. Tomlinson finished with an interception and a team high seven tackles, five being solo. Cunningham tallied six total tackles, with three behind my solo, three pass breakups, and an interception on the night. Cameron Webb had a big night recording two solo sacks, on six total tackles, four solo, and three being tackles for loss. Lackey finished the game with five tackles, four being solo, one pass breakup, and one interception during the contest.
Lake Erie showed toughness and grit after being down 14-0 early, and being able to come back and control the lead. Mental mistakes and turnovers cost the Storm tonight as they were looking for their first conference win of the season.
Lake Erie has one final game to round out the 2023 season as they head to Crestview Hills, Kentucky, on Saturday, November 11, to take on the Thomas More University Saints in their final conference matchup of the year. Kickoff is at 12 PM.
